Newish player - Few questions about a few things

Hello everyone this is my first post!

So ive always played TA:K on and off for aslong as i can remember. I'm currently using TA:K switcher and i don't remember having any problems with it (mabye i just didnt notice). However now im only getting like 15fps ingame and it becomes unplayable (I have a core i7, 16gb ram, and GTX770 so computer specs arn't the issue). Are there any optimization i can make? such as best compatibility service pack?

I may most likely do a complete reinstall since the ta:k that i have installed is a pre-made pack with TA:K switcher most likely not all of the good enhancements. Is having TA:K Switcher recommended?

Another question is what does CUT mean? I see people everywhere say its better but no-one actually explains what it means. I also see things such as CUT versions of AI's what is better?

Also what are the best addons/mods/stuff to install? So far ive got:
full game + patch + gameranger + movies
all maps, mods, races, units, tools pack
extreme AI 2.3 + TAPowerVeteran AI

Thanks alot!

Hi,

Try software rendering. Hardware rendering looks pretty, but can tax your system especially if you play on larger maps with lots of features and/or units.

CUT = crusades balance; Cavedog's last hand at rebalancing units before the company's demise.

Game wise, players might be using the 4.1bb patch which is used for online play in GameRanger. However; mods, addons, takswitcher are personal preference, i.e., such as New Era 5.1 and so on. Quite a few mods/races are buggy; they can randomly crash. Save often.

The game can be played without switcher by taking the Kingdom's key out of your Kingdom's directory. Personally, I like switcher but others like the key method.

Hey thanks alot for the info! i just did a fresh install with TA:K switcher and it seems to run smoother now the only problem is that every time i create a map, it always crashes on the start up. I have two player spawns + mana + 2x2 map so it should be able to atleast boot in right? Am i missing a setting?

Depending on spawn points. If the spawn points are not far enough away from the edges of the map, map could crash.

Try a cavedog map; see if it still crashes.

wow thanks! That was bang on. I made a bigger map and changed spawn points and it works! I just learned about this map tool today and on my free time i'm going to make the most sacred map the world has ever seen! I feel like i've rediscovered this game

Welp turns out software rendering does increase performance but also causes my screen to keep flashing black like a strobe

Could be the graphics settings. Open your nvidia control panel and set the adjust images with preview to either let program adjust what's best or set to performance.

Alternatively, try a program called "dxwnd"
Create a tak profile in it (select Kingdoms.exe as the two paths), disable windowed mode, and make sure it is running when you run tak
Fixed lag for me but now I cant alt+tab out of the game and back again

Or just use Direct3D render, and when it starts lagging you just alt+tab, go back to the game and it's all smooth again, that's what I do.

Thanks guys ill try these solutions as soon as i can, also turns out that Fraps was adding to the fps drop when i was trying to check frames but i'm still aiming for atleast 30fps so hopefully the solutions above will help with that.

edit: Also wanted to say my first map i ever made is posted here!: http://kingdoms.heavenforum.org/t1500-my-first-map-4-player-separated-tribes